Santa bought us exactly what the kids wanted this year.

Nana and Papa with all the grandchildren.
Christmas at the in-laws.

I want to wish everyone a Happy New Year. I wish everyone health and happiness in 2009. I am looking forward to a wonderful year.

Til next year,

Bayou

Merry Christmas from the Bayou.

Ok, it may be late, but it still is the Christmas season.

We went to Christmas Eve church at FUMC. I love the contemporary service. It is up beat and geared towards a younger (am I still young?) crowd. The message is the same but delivered a little different.

The Bayou family had a great Christmas. We started off the day bright and early here at our house. Santa brought the family a Wii. The kids really wanted one, so we are happy he brought us one. After showers, we were off to my parents house with everyone. It is a tight squeeze getting all 19 of us in the living room. It was tough to watch the kids open gifts with the other grandkids gathering around the one opening the gift. It may be time to re-think Christmas morning at my parents. It might be time to look at different times for each family to spend quality time with nana and papa at Christmas.
After Christmas morning we were off to Teresa's parents. We ate, opened gifts, ate and played the Wii. We headed back home around 10pm.
The day after Christmas, we hit Toys R Us. B and K bought DS games with gift cards. We did some unpacking and clean up around the house. We are planning to take down the tree in a couple of days. But, the Christmas lights will stay on until I return to school.

Til next time, Bayou.

Beignet Breakfast 2008

Dig in!

As in years past, we eat beignets for Christmas Eve breakfast. We have past the tradition on to K's teacher this year. She had asked her students some of their family traditions and K told her about eating beignets. I hope she made some and enjoyed eating them this morning.

We have a busy couple of days, just like most of you. Tonight we will attend church and watch The Polar Express. Hopefully, after the movie the kids will be ready for bed. B had already informed us everyone will be up at 7am tomorrow morning.

Merry Christmas to all and to all a good night!

Today I took the kids to Atwood. We left T behind to do "Christmas stuff", if you know what I mean. It was about 24 degrees, so we did not stay outside too long at any one time. We checked on the camper and it looked fine. We walked to the shoreline. They lower the water level down 10-15 feet during the winter months.

Lot 667 is our summer home, but in December it is a vacant lot.

In the summer the kids would be under water.

These are our steps to our dock. The dock is in storage for the winter.

The kids "helped" T ice the cookies tonight.

Yesterday, I went to Columbus to watch the basketball Buckeyes. It was the first time I saw them play hoops since the Final Four in Atlanta. My buddy Rick called me about 11am and invited me down. It was a good time. The Buckeyes defeated UNC-Ashville.

Happy Festivus from the Bayou.

Christmas vacation and it feels like Christmas. It was 8 degrees this morning when I woke up. The wind chill was in the -15 degree range. We have a light dusting of snow on the ground. I am not sure we are going to get measurable snow fall before Christmas, which is too bad. I enjoy having the white stuff on the ground at Christmas time.

Some things from last week. The annual MHS Talent Show was the best in the recent years. I stayed in Mogadore and took pictures of the basketball game. The Cats are better than last year, but have a long long way to go before they become a .500 team. But, with basketball it is tough to win if you don't have some size and we don't have it.

Saturday night I went to the Winking Lizard to watch the Cowboys game. The game was on the NFL network and I don't pay to see that channel. I met up with Jeff, Liz and her dad (both are Cowboy fans). We had a good time until the fourth quarter. Somewhere I thought the Boys would pull out a victory in the last game at Texas Stadium, but I was wrong. I am glad I didn't spend the money on a ticket to the game.

Sunday, T had to work. We stayed at home and watched football. As it works out, the Cowboys will make the playoffs if they beat Philadelphia next week. I am not sure that will happen, but it is nice to know they control their own playoff fate.

We have a few things to do before Christmas Eve, Day, Day after. Tomorrow, I am taking the kids to Atwood to check out the camper. If the weather is warmer we may take a short hike. T had things to do (wrapping) and she wants the kids out of the house for a few hours. Christmas Eve morning we will enjoy a "Beignet Breakfast". It is our Christmas Eve breakfast tradition. K told his teacher about it and she is going to make some beignets over break.

Of course tomorrow is Festivus and I would love to post my "airing of grievances". It would be a nice long list, but in the spirit of Christmas (which, according to someone I have none) I will let things in the past stay in the past.

I am off to relax and enjoy my vacation.

---Bayou

Merry Christmas from our little SAND-tas!

I did some work on to our pictures and couldn't wait til Christmas to post one of them.

I did forget to mention, B had strep throat last week. She wasn't feeling well on Wednesday night. She stayed home on Thursday and went to see her doctor. He comfirmed she had strep and told her to stay home from school on Friday. I stayed home with her on Friday as T had to sub at Lohr Elem. She was feeling better Saturday and she went to school today. I hope she did not spread it to anyone else.

It is Monday and only 5 days left til Christmas break. This year we have 2 full weeks off school. I am sure T will be happy to get me and the kids out of the house on Jan. 5.

I am in a little better mood today. The Cowboys won last night. It always makes my Mondays better.

Saturday was a long day. I was up early to drive to Mogadore and pick up the junior high wrestling team. We were at Fairless Middle school. We had a couple of guys do really well. The newer guys are working hard and will develop into solid wrestlers as the season advances.

Saturday was also my sister's Santa party. T had to leave B's baton Christmas party, so B could sit on Santa's lap. It sure beats standing in line at a mall. I will add some pics later.

Speaking of B's baton party, she earned a huge (3' tall) trophy for marching in 20 parades this year. She was a busy little girl. I know she enjoys it, even though she will complain about it being too hot or too cold to march. T was asked to be a marching mom. We will see if she does this.

The family Christmas cards went out on Saturday. You should be receiving one shortly. I did not included a Christmas letter because I write this blog. If you want a review of the year, go back to January and start re-reading my posts.

One last thing, the Bayou Steelers lost in the MNFFL playoffs. We lost to the Pimpin' Pioneers again this year. It look like we will be playing the Basement Boys for 3rd place.

Blog you later,

Bayou

Do you ever wonder what people think about you or your family? I would think we all wonder about it, but really don't care if we ever knew it or not. Remember, the movie, 'What women want' with Mel Gibson and Helen Hunt? Mel's character gains the ability to hear what women are thinking. Now, I am not going review the movie, but imagine if you had that power. You could hear what other are saying about you, your family, your spouse, your kids, your house, your car, your clothes, etc... First, would you want this power? Second, what would you do with the information you heard? Third, would you treat people different bases on what they think about you? Interesting things to think about. Don't forget to look at it from different points of view. People only like you because you have money. Or, they only like you because they have to.

Just something to think about.

Well, a week has past since my last blog. The routine here has not changed much during the last week. T and I put up most of the outside Christmas lights. We put up a "light" tree in the front yard complete with light up presents under it. We put up the tree last night. We still need to add lights and the trimmings. We would have done it today, but B had an overnighter last night and did not return til after 5 today. My brother came over to watch the Cowboys-Steelers game. his friend and children come over as well. It was tough to watch the 'Boys give away a 10 point lead and lose on a pick 6. We hope to decorate the tree tomorrow, in between B going to baton.

The Buckeyes are heading to AZ again this year. They will play in the Fiesta Bowl against Texas. It is the 4th straight year they are playing in a BCS bowl. Go Buckeyes----Hook them horns!

I have a busy wrestling week coming up. I am taking the junior high to Streetsboro. I have my van driver's certificate and we only have 7 wrestlers, so everyone fits in the school van. The other coaches will drive themselves to Streetsboro. It save the athletic program from paying a bus driver. I am trying to help out the wrestling team as much as I can this season.

The varsity is at home on Thursday. I will stay and take pictures.

It is my Christmas prayer that those who see $$$ at Christmas time, take a moment to realize what is the true meaning of the season.

Time to play catch-up.

Wednesday. The kids had school, but I did not. The big event of the day was the Leon's Day Before Thanksgiving No-Limit Texas Hold'em Tournament Classic. I won this event back in 2005 and won it again this year. It came down to me vs my brother. I had him out chipped and won the tournament. We played other game after the main event, but I wen tout early.

Thursday. We ate lunch at Dawn's and dinner at my in-laws. I was able to watch the Cowboys beat Seattle. Everything was going well until B wanted to eat an apple around 9:45pm. She used a potato peeler to peel the skin off the apple. But, she used the peeler to peel off part of her left index finger. Thankfully, it was not deep, but we could not get it to stop bleeding. We ended up taking her to Robinson. They were able to control the bleeding and wrapped her finger and hand up. She went to see her doctor on Saturday and he rewrapped the finger. He said it looks like it is starting to heal.

Friday. K and I went to the Division VI State Championship game at Massillon. Delphos St. John's beat Hopewell-Louden. After that game, I met up with Keith Moore for the Division IV game at Fawcett. It was cold, but not too bad. After the games, T and I went to dinner with her aunt from PA. We ate at LeFever's in Cuyahoga Falls. We had a very nice time.

Saturday. T had to take B to the doctors. So, me and the boys stayed around the house. We took the kids to T's parents while we went to T's high school reunion. It was a fun time. T had not seen most of the people in attendance since graduation.

Today. I don't know why I bother to watch the Browns. They found a way to lose today on this overcast, rainy day. The kids have tomorrow off. B will head back to the doctors to have her finger examined and rewrapped.

I hope everyone had a happy and safe Thanksgiving.

T had to work Saturday and Sunday. So, the family did not do too much this weekend.

The kids and I went to my parent's house to watch the Buckeyes destroy Mich again, 42-7. Jeff and the boys were there, so the cousins played nicely together.

Sunday, I could not stomach the Browns game, so I cleaned up the backyard and put away any remaining article of outdoor furniture away. I would have raked leaves as well, but they were snowed covered. Thankfully, the Cowboys beat-up the 49ers.

Gas is down to $1.63 near our house.

If I don't blog before Thrusday....Happy Thanksgiving from the Bayou.

First off, gas is $1.79 near our house. I can't remember it that low in a long long long time.

Second, The big D is complete for my brother. I am glad for him that it is over. I am sure things will work out for the best for him and his kids. UPDATE: My brother just called and he is very happy with how things went this morning. We are going out tonight to celebrate and watch the Steelers.

Third, we have an agreement in principle on a pontoon boat. We had thought about buying late in the fall, but we did not like any of the boats we saw for sale. However, a camper friend of our has been having medical trouble and is selling his boat. It is a beautiful 21' pontoon boat that can hold 11 people. So, we will be able to take more people out on the lake than in the old boat. It also comes with an enclosure, full cover, and trailer. We will work out all the details and sign papers at a later date. I wish I had a picture to post, but when we get it into the water, I will post a pic for everyone to see.

It is lunch time, so----Bayou out.

There was another afternoon/evening of black ice on the roads. I drove from school to Dover and the weather and road conditions were terrible. However, once I was south of Canton, the weather and roads improved. Then on the way home, bad roads returned once I hit Stark County. I did not see one salt truck on the road, in either direction, on I-77. I hope this is not an indication of things to come this winter.

The Bayou Steelers are in the MNFFL play-offs. There are still 2 weeks left in the regular season. We will be battling for a first round-bye in the play-offs. The top two teams earn byes.

The Browns added a W to my sports weekend Sunday night. But, this weekend is the big game---Ohio State-Michigan. It kicks off at noon from the Horseshoe. T has to work, so I will watch the game with my mom.

-Bayou

With the weather turning cold, here is a picture to remember the summer. Here is J with on our neighbor's boat. We really like their boat. It is a 21' pontoon boat. It has room for 12 people. We would like to have a boat to take our friends and family all at the same time.

This past weekend was a good sports weekend. Ohio State-won, Dallas-won, Michigan-lost! The Browns play tonight and we will see what will happen there. I am not expecting a W from them.

The weather turned a little nasty today. An Alberta Clipper came across Lake Erie. Now, we did not get a measurable amount of snow, some up closer the the lake got dumped on. We had to deal with road freezing----black ice. It always take time to get used to driving in winter conditions.

--Bayou

http://recordpub.com/news/sports_article/4465973

It is not everyday an athlete from Mogadore signs with a Division 1 program in any sport. So, when it happens it is newsworthy. Nate is a great kid and I am glad he is going to the best golf program in the state. I wish him nothing but the best at KSU next year.

Not too much is going on here at the Bayou household. Wrestling season starts tomorrow and I will miss something about it, but I will be glad to be home before 4pm everyday.

--Bayou

16 years. It has been 16 years since T and I went on our first date. It was just a week after Bill Clinton defeated George HW Bush for the Presidency. T and I are not planning anything special for tonight. I am sure we will try to go out soon to celebrate.

Here are some fun facts about 1992:
Gas was $1.09 a gallon in Nov. 1992
Golden Girls and Cosby went off the air.
Johnny Carson left the Tonight Show and Jay Leno replaced him.
The Dallas Cowboys we on their way to winning Super Bowl XXVII in January 1993.
The Toronto Blue Jays won the World Series,
Ohio State and Michigan played to a 13-13 tie. The QB for the Buckeyes that day; Kirk Herbstreit. OSU President (then and now) G. Gorden Gee said "A tie is one of our greatest wins ever," Who said the leader of the largest university in the country needs to be a smart man?

Mogadore's season came to an end Friday night. The Hopewell-Louden Chieftens beat them 30-0. I am really impressed by this group of kids and coaches. They could have quit after the homecoming game when 5 starters were kicked off the team. But they hung in there and won the league again and hosted a play-off game. 10-2 again this year, not too bad.

Ohio State rolled. After the OSU game, I took the kids to Christie and Mike's. We had not seen them since the cruise. (T was scrap booking so she did not go). The kids love playing together. K played on their Wii most of the night. He is hoping Santa brings one this Christmas.

Yesterday was a bit different. The Browns and the Cowboys did not play. So, with no real interesting game on, I did things around the house. T went back to her all-day scrap booking event. I even had to wait til 4 to watch the Steelers play.

Dan called me about his boat. He is going to sell it. He is giving us first shot at it. He would like something down to know we are serious about buying the boat. We are, but putting something down before Christmas it tough. I had hope to wait til after we got our taxes back, but we might need to do something soon. His boat is a 2004 21' pontoon boat with a 4-stroke 25 horsepower Nissan outboard motor. He wants $12,000 for the boat, enclosure and trailer. The boat is in tip-top shape. But, if we don't buy it, I am sure we can find something else next spring.

--Bayou

It is going to be a raining evening in Mansfield. I am heading there to see the Cats play Hopewell-Louden in Round 2 of the play-offs. We lost to them last year in Round 2 at Ashland College. It will be a tough game for the Cats.

The Buckeyes are back in action this week. I hope they can run the table and get an at-larger BCS bid or share the Big Ten title with Penn State and possibly go to the Rose Bowl.

The Cowboys have the week off. (Thank the Lord). The Browns let another game slip through their hands last night. Denver beat them 34-30. So, I am not sure what game I will watch. I guess I will be rooting for the Bayou Steeler players.

--Bayou

It is just past 10:30pm on election day and Senator John McCain lost in his bid for President. It looks like the Democrats will gain in both the HOR and Senate. It is going to be a long 2 year and even longer 4 years. I am sad because people who supported the President elect can't tell me one reason why they voted for him. They must want 1 trillion dollars of new spending. Who is going to pay for it? Well, 95% of us will get tax breaks, so I guess it is on the top 5%. But wait, he wants to redistribute the wealth. Well, again, where is that coming from? The top 5%. But, don't forget small businesses. You will get tax increases as well. And all business will pay more taxes. I wonder what those companies will do? Maybe, raise their prices. So, I guess it is an increase for everyone who buys anything. I guess I am glad I am not in the top 5% of the wealthy people in the United States.
I could go on and on. It is just not worth it.